Politics of Russia
Federal semi-presidential republic with a strong presidency.
The politics of Russia function within the framework of a federal semi-presidential republic, as established by the Constitution of Russia. The President is head of state, and executive power is exercised by the government headed by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President with parliamentary approval. Legislative power is vested in the two houses of the Federal Assembly. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in late 1991, Russia has faced significant difficulties in constructing a new political system to replace nearly seven decades of Soviet rule. Early on, leaders in the legislative and executive branches clashed over the nation’s political direction and the proper governmental tools to pursue it. This conflict culminated in September and October 1993, when President Boris Yeltsin used military force to dissolve parliament and called for new legislative elections, an event known as the Russian constitutional crisis of 1993. This crisis ended Russia’s first constitutional period, based on the heavily amended 1978 constitution of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. A new constitution, which created a strong presidency, was approved by referendum in December 1993. With this new constitution and a parliament representing diverse parties, political stability began to emerge. However, during the mid-1990s, the national government’s power waned as Russia’s regions secured political and economic concessions from Moscow. Following the election of Vladimir Putin as president in 2000, reforms were implemented to strengthen federal control, rolling back regional gains, including in the 22 Republics. Putin has since become the dominant figure in Russia’s political system, pursuing economic reforms and assertive foreign policy, and has become the longest-serving Russian leader since Stalin. His policies are collectively known as Putinism.
- type
- Political system
- head_of_state
- President
- head_of_government
- Prime Minister
- legislature
- Federal Assembly (two houses)
- country
- Russia
Lore & Background
With the new constitution and a parliament representing diverse parties, Russia's political structure showed signs of stabilization. As the transition extended into the mid-1990s, national government power waned as regions gained concessions. Putin became the leading figure of Russia's political system, implementing economic reform and strong foreign involvement, becoming the longest Russian leader in power after Stalin; his policies are called Putinism. The political system operates as a federal semi-presidential republic. The president serves as head of state within a multi-party framework, while executive power is exercised by the government led by a prime minister appointed by the president with parliamentary approval. Legislative authority rests with the two houses of the Federal Assembly, though the president and government also issue binding by-laws. Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, Russia struggled to build a new political order after nearly seventy years of Soviet rule. A severe conflict between legislative and executive branches culminated in 1993 when President Yeltsin used military force to dissolve parliament, ending the first constitutional period defined by the 1978 RSFSR constitution. A new constitution, creating a strong presidency, was approved by referendum in December 1993. During the 1990s, Russia's regions gained political and economic concessions from Moscow, weakening central authority. Putin's 2000 election reversed this trend, strengthening federal control over the regions, including the 22 republics.
Reader's Guide
The politics of Russia function within a federal semi-presidential republic framework, as established by its constitution. The president serves as head of state within a multi-party system, while executive power is held by a government led by a prime minister appointed by the president with parliamentary approval. Legislative authority rests with the two houses of the Federal Assembly, though the president and government also issue binding by-laws. Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, Russia faced severe challenges in building a new political system. A major conflict between legislative and executive branches culminated in 1993, when President Boris Yeltsin used military force to dissolve parliament and call for new elections, ending the first constitutional period defined by the 1978 RSFSR constitution. A new constitution, creating a strong presidency, was approved by referendum later that year. Stabilization followed, but during the mid-1990s, national government power waned as regions gained concessions from Moscow. With Vladimir Putin’s election in 2000, reforms strengthened federal control, rolling back regional power gains. Putin became the leading political figure, implementing economic reforms and strong foreign involvement, with his policies termed Putinism. The system’s evolution, from Soviet inheritance through Yeltsin’s turbulent transition to Putin’s extended rule, illustrates ongoing tensions between federalism, executive dominance, and multi-party representation, making it essential for understanding Russia’s domestic stability and international behavior.
Did You Know?
- The President and government issue numerous legally binding by-laws.
- Vladimir Putin became the longest Russian leader in power after Stalin.
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